Fourth Chapter: Families of Ours

Hidden Leaf

Kurama Clan Compound

Itachi had managed to find enjoyment in relaxing within the clan compound, a guest of the Kurama clan, and their joint love for genjutsu had led to him gaining a small following. However, now he had heard of the amassing shinobi force preparing to move out. He gained an idea. One final chance to see if his former home was worth anything. Worth saving. Worth spilling blood for.

Turning back from the view of the woods, the village barely visible through the thick thicket, he heads back into the home. Leaving his guest room, making his way down towards the common room, he comes face to face with some of his 'students' of sorts, Shibuya, Okane, and Yone Kurama. "Sensei!" They all call, and he smiles at them all, "Morning, do you know where,"

"I am here too, Itachi-san." Yakumo stepped in with the food for the table, the others of the clan assisting her. "Do you need me for something?"

"I have... an idea for a final check on the state of the village. One last chance to save themselves from their own fate, though I require your help." The Uchiha spoke in his infamous monotone, slow blink and all. "Oh? What did you have in mind?"

"A public inquisition." Itachi informs with a prankster smirk; he has spent far too much time with the Uzumaki over the last eight years or so. Yakumo noticed and recognized that look, wondering how a Uchiha could pull it off, though it looked far more menacing on her blonds than his. "You have my attention, Itachi-san,"

"I will approach the village with my partner as official ambassadors from Rouge's Retreat," he began, earning nods from the Kurama clansmen. "Naturally, the gathering shinobi will confront us, but with the sign of a diplomatic seal and the knowledge that we are here from the Retreat,"

"They'll let you pass," Okane murmured, and Itachi nodded. "Lord Hokage will have to either dismiss our request for an audience or call a full house council meeting."

"So, we will have to attend it too, then?" Yakumo comments as she sits at the table's head. Itachi nods again with a Uchiha smirk, "This is when I report that you have officially requested relocation to our abode."

"And why – pray tell – would we do that? Losing the element of surprise by announcing our request to depart from the Leaf." Yakumo looked incredulously, cringing at the thought of such a bold move, but Uchiha was on a roll and absorbed that hit in his stride as he continued calmly, "Before a full council, we will calmly explain that Naruto has been informed and has accepted your clan's request."

"That will draw a lot of attention to us," Yone informs dutifully, fiddling with her twin-tailed hazel hair. A nervous twitch she held, that she had been told was a very obvious expression. "It will," Itachi nods, his smirk darkening, "Depending on the Kage's response, it will decide their fates. If he gives you permission to leave, we shall leave the door open for future negotiations." Everyone nods along, "If they try and persuade you to stay, hold us up, no doubt the Yamanaka, or the Nara at least, will call into question his leadership,"

"Showing his incompetence, for the others and cause unrest among the others," Yakumo seeing where this was going, "As a minor clan," Itachi continued, drawing the clan heads attention, "You do not have much to offer, which in this event is a blessing," many tightened jaws at that, knowing the Uchiha meant no ill will by his words as he continued, "as such, they really do not have anything to hold you here. Your intention of moving to internationally acknowledged neutral zone, means that they cannot claim that you are a threat to security,"

"I see," Yakumo says, nodding as she buttered her toast, rather distractedly. As the Uchiha grabs a jam croissant, she continues, "It'll also give your side a chance to retaliate more forcefully and provide more wiggle room for the others in your circle who remain."

"Indeed," Itachi confirmed with a nod. Yakumo could tell that the Prankster's smirk was well earned by this action. "Fine, I will trust you in this. I hope you do not disappoint."

Itachi looked at her and smirked slightly, "It should be fun."

Village Gate

The gathered Jonin were being counted off by the legendary Fourth Hokage, who was gearing up for a war with his sworn enemy to rescue his family, his son, from their clutches. Though he soon noticed the hushing crowd, which began to part as two figures strolled calmly forward. Their presence was a surprise, to be sure, especially as he recognized them both as they stopped before him, "It has been a few weeks since our last confrontation, Lord Hokage, no?"

"Itachi Uchiha," Minato spoke slowly, eyes narrowed before noticing the woman at his side. "Shizuka of Nadishiko, to what do I owe this pleasure? The fact that you left the safety of the Retreat..." Itachi nodded at that; this was a gamble, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. "I have been dispatched on this diplomatic mission, at the request of one of yours in good standing with ours for shelter. Thus, here I am to discuss this matter with you and your council."

"You're serious? Who has such a connection?" Minato asks, confused then hopeful. A clan apparently had good enough standing with his son that they dispatched one of their top officials to respond.

"Perhaps, you should order a full assembly. It would be far simpler to discuss this, no?" Shizuka comments, glancing around, perfectly mimicking the real one's mannerisms, despite being a shadow clone.

All eyes looked to the Hokage, who was now faced with a choice: turn down this overture from the only neutral, truly powerful potential ally and hope for the future, or rush to the border of Waterfall and Stone to try to rescue his son and potentially start the war early. Stifling his desire to rush off, he nodded before signaling the nearby ANBU to gather a full assembly. "Yes, come on in. We can discuss this in my office while the assembly is gathered."

The trio moved through the village, gathering more than a few eyes on them, which was all par the course. Itachi caught the eye of the still Nara-disguised Shizuka, who was befuddled by the action of her partner, Shikamaru, at her side. He glanced between the two and noticed the confusion on his girl's face. Former girl. Whatever. So, this wasn't part of the plan. Itachi was going on his own path, but no doubt with a plan. There was no way he would act so openly without one.

An Anbu body-flickered beside the Nara. "Lord Nara, a full assembly of the clans has been called." This naturally drew the attention of all to the young clan head. Enough for Shizuka to seamlessly replace herself with Itachi's shadow clone as they passed, using a hinge to return to her previous appearance.

Hokage Reception

Itachi and Shizuka arrived to find Kushina standing there along with the other Namikaze clan members, including two youngsters not seen before. "Can I use the toilet quickly?"

Minato looked at the woman, uneasy about letting her go alone to potentially wander around their administration building, but before he could explain things, she spoke up, "I believe there's one just on the left here, right? You can wait for me outside." Itachi's lip twitched in amusement at the sight of the Hokage becoming flustered at being told about his own building schematics, "Sure, okay. We'll wait." Minato nodded, and she peeled off directly into the secret door, as if she had been there a million times before.

Two minutes later, she appeared with a relaxed smile, "All good now." And they proceeded into the office, the Namikaze family in tow.

Hokage Office

Itachi took his seat, with Shizuka at his back, though both glanced to the corner. "Are you going to hide there, Toad Sage? Or join us?"

"Perceptive as always," Jairyia comments, stepping out of the shadows and strolling over to the side of his commanding officer. "Naturally," Itachi nods, the slow Uchiha blink returning to the leaf after many years. "So, Itachi, what brings you here exactly? We were burned off pretty badly during our stay there."

"I do recall that, yes. However, during our recent meetings, Naruto had received a request from one of your clans for relocation. Then, Lady Kushina's request for purchase reached my desk, so Naruto left both for me to handle, thus my presence here." Itachi was purposely keeping his tone monotonous and allowed their hopes to rise at a chance to secure their family's trust in their exiled member. "I see," Minato nodded, glancing up at Shizuka with a raised brow, a silent question, but she ignored it. Itachi spoke up in her stead, "Coming alone would have been foolhardy, considering my position both here and back home."

"I understand that as you are still listed as missing ninja here, but what of back there?" Minato asked and Itachi smirked, a Uchiha smirk, "Head of Homeland Security."

This piqued the interest of the Toad Sage, who spoke up, "You being here is a security risk, then, no? Considering we can still capture you and everything,"

"You could say that, yes," Itachi sat back calmly, knowing that the number of Anbu in the office was twice that of normal, "However, even ignoring the diplomatic seal I have already presented, that would only condemn the hidden leaf further to being ignored. You will then have to explain to my boss why you did not stay your hand and captured me, no doubt extracting and farming my semen before putting me to death."

The warning was not lost on anyone living in the office. Shizuka noticed the flinch by the others in the room, and even the hitched breaths from the Anbu above her. "So, I feel perfectly safe among the single bodyguard who stands at my back," Itachi informs. The Hokage nods, and his wife speaks now, "So, my Sochi—he..."

Shizuka growled lowly, but loud enough to be heard by the red-headed Namikaze matriarch, "I suggest you remember your place, Kushina Namikaze." Her green eyes were harder than diamonds as she glared at the woman who had abandoned her son on a whim of another. "Shizuka, calm down," Itachi said, his eyes shut, to hide his inadvertent activation of his sharigan, knowing full well what was going through her head right now. He took a deep breath himself to pass the irritation and bleed the unease that might have seeped into his words. "We are not here for that,"

"Sorry, Itachi. It…" Shizuka breathed hard and nodded, forcing her calm state to the surface. "Forgive my outburst."

Itachi nods once, eyes open as they look to the amethysts of Kushina, "Naruto's desk is above both of ours, thus I have control over whether or not your request is approved. So, please keep that in mind as I consider Naruto a brother, Shizuka her best friend, so do not speak so lightly of your transgressions against him. We won't be so happy with you otherwise."

Leaf Council Hall

Itachi strode in with the pride of the Uchiha, the grace of a priest, and the smirk of an Uzumaki that a few noticed and smirked at. The others, including an in-heat Kiba, were staring rather openly at his escort Shizuka, blushes all around. The Uzumaki smirk widened at this, yes, this is fine. He'll master this.

Itachi took the central seat, with Shizuka at his back again. She was smiling this time, so sweetly, but only the Kage and his wife knew it was fake. Though, those in the know did suspect her presence here was not an accident. The Nara knew better, obviously. A calculated move. A fine move indeed.

Clearing his throat, the Hokage opened the meeting, "Now that we are all here, let us begin," drawing all eyes to him. Though a few noticed that Itachi and Shizuka were staring at Kushina at the Uzumaki seat, both with raised brows as she stared back. It was tense for a moment, though many noticed the unease of both the Hokage and the clan head of the Uzumaki. "Is something wrong, Itachi?" Minato asked carefully, wondering if Naruto had informed them about the inner workings of the Uzumaki clan.

Itachi slowly turned back to the Hokage, noticing the hidden hesitation, and nodded once, "I see." Glancing around, he spotted Mito in the Namikaze seat. "Should we begin, then? I am sure we all wish to know why the Rogue's Refuge has returned to the mainland, no?"

"Indeed. None of our reports suggested you had any intention of getting involved with our wars," Minato informed, and Itachi nodded. "Well, it is rather simple. In accordance with the Retreat's Charter, signed off by Earth, Water, Lightning, Wind, Snow/Spring, Demon, and Moon, we are responding to a diplomatic call for aid."

Many gasped at that, the list given was more than ninety percent of the noticeable Lands had signed off this charter that gave them, Rogue's Retreat, their neutrality. It was filed away for later use. "I see. So, one of ours is in high enough standing to call upon you for this." Minato nodded, understanding this from a political standpoint, glancing at the Yamanaka clan, believing they must have been the ones in response to his slip-up. He was mistaken, as one Yakumo Kurama stood, "It was us, Lord Hokage."

All eyes snapped to the minor clan head, who was making her way to the center, and many were bewildered as the Kurama clan had long since entered obscurity even among their fellow villagers. None would have suspected that the 'Lost Namikaze' had a connection to them.

No one was more surprised than Minato, who was bewildered by the fact that a connection was so close yet none of his information had led to the Kurama clan. Let alone their heiress. When? How?

Clearing her throat, Yakumo continued, "I suspect you are wondering what my connection is with Naru-kun, yes?" Earning nods from the Hokage and his family, who were too stunned to learn that their brother had a friend so close that they had no clue about. "Well, as many people know, my clan is infamous for our genjutsu. Our clan's bloodline only enhances it to the point of causing physical harm to the target."

Minato nods at that, having read up on such, but was still confused as to how the friendship with his son comes into this. "What most don't know, however, is that upon its activation, an Ido is created from the holder's darkest fears and thoughts."

"Ido?" Mito questioned. It was Ino of clan Yamanaka who responded, "The opposite of one's ego. Your subconsciousness, in a sense, formed of our more instinctual and darker aspects of our minds."

Yakumo nods to that, continuing on, "I was no different and inadvertently caused more than a few incidents within the clan, which included the death of my parents." Gasps were heard, but she powered on, having come to terms with it. "Kurenai used a seal to block it, but it didn't last, and my Ido broke free again. This time, however, it was Naru-kun who came along with that woman to help me beat and bring it under control. Ever since, Naruto and I have been good friends, and he often visited me whenever he had time. Thus, I was the last person to see him before he left for his banishment."

Minato nods to that, masking his surprise at his luck in finding a good friend of his estranged son among his force. He blinked at that, nowhere on her attire is the hidden leaf insignia, glancing to his wife who looked at him weirdly, before he looked back, "I see. So, you wish to relocate to Rouge's retreat? Can I ask why?"

She smiles, though it feels cold to Minato, just like his son's. "My clan has been part of the village since its early days, but, much like the Uzumaki and Senju, it has been forgotten." Yakumo glances at Kushina, who stiffens, along with her husband and daughter. "Thus, with our dwindling numbers and abilities, I have called upon my best friend beyond my clan for shelter." Gesturing to the ever-stoic Itachi and unfairly attractive Shizuka, "Which he responded with two of his top officials."

"Which brings us to the matter at hand," Itachi recaptured the attention of the room, "The Kurama clan wishes to relocate."

Minato smiles. With a clan holding a compound in the retreat, it can become a beachhead for their efforts at winning their son's trust back. Before he could speak, however, Hiashi did: "You cannot serve the leaf while living beyond its walls."

This drew everyone's eyes to the older man in the front row, who was staring blankly at the young clan head. "It is a security risk, then,"

Yakumo's smile was diplomatic, much like his face of impassiveness. "My clan has held minor status since the end of the first shinobi war. Our numbers never recovered, and we are down to a mere fifty strong, with only twelve being active shinobi, none above the rank of Chunin, despite our best efforts. I have barely been clan head for two weeks, and this is my first council meeting."

Shizuka speaks up next, "Adding to the fact that, as a minor clan head, she is represented by the Inazuka in regular council meetings," the woman shrugs, "No secrets to tell."

"How do you know this exactly?" Mito asks with a raised brow, having not known that either, earning a soft smile from the dark-haired beauty who answered, shrugging, "Naru-kun is my best friend, he tells me stuff."

"So, you wish to leave the Leaf?" Minato says, ignoring the fact that people beyond the Leaf know of their council's inner workings for now. Yakumo nods firmly, resolved to this plan of the Uchiha, "Yes. We have no place here anymore. The Refuge has accepted on their end, evident by our current guests, it is now on your shoulders to allow or deny us."

Hiashi stood, along with many of the minor clans, and Kiba, who wasn't too pleased with this action either. "You cannot seriously be considering this, Lord Hokage?" Hiashi declared, earning nods from the other various clan heads. "Minor or not, you are still a member of the Leaf pack," Kiba spoke up, though his eyes kept flickering to Shizuka's fine frame, lessening the wieght of his words a fair amount. "How could you turn your back on us so easily?"

Many spoke up in the same vein as the tree in the centre maintained their gaze on the Hokage, unflinching and not acknowledging the council at large. Itachi's monotoned voice cut through the loud clambering, silencing the room. "What is your answer, Lord Fourth Hokage?"

Minato was stuck and needed more time to contemplate this action. His mind was split between the revelation of his eldest son's allies before him, allies that now wish to leave his reach, and the fact that his other son is now in enemy hands. He doesn't have enough time to weigh both options. On one hand, if he allows them, the leaf is weakened, even if it is only twelve shinobi, it is weakened nonetheless. This might also set a precedent for others, who may be leaning toward similar actions if approached by outside parties with promises of grandeur. The Leaf may survive the Kurama clan's leaving, but what if.

Disregarding that trail of thought, a waste of time on what if's, the other side of the argument would be that forcing them to remain will further aggravate his estranged son and his allies. Then again, if they detain the Rogue's delegation here against their will, and deal with this later, that too will set them on a very dangerous slope and kill all future international relationships if it gets out. Itachi's use of the diplomatic seal is proof of that. However, it will solidify his position as Kage for being willing to make that hard decision.

Letting out a long, deep breath, this was a no-win scenario, so he hoped this would work. Minato finally spoke up, "It is clear that as a village, we cannot allow you to leave us so freely." Yakumo feared this outcome but maintained her stoic exterior. Itachi knew this was a possibility but didn't think they'd actually use it. Shizuka was surprised by how far they had fallen. "Thus," Minato continued, clicking his fingers as Anbu arrived to apprehend them all, much to the surprise of the clan heads. "Itachi Uchiha, Shizuka of Nadishiko, and Yakumo Kurama, you will be held by Anbu until the current state of emergency is dealt with, and a proper discussion will be held."

Itachi quirked an eyebrow. "You really think that is wise? Considering right now the only thing preventing this village's destruction is the Refuge?" This caused a moment of pause in the room. Shizuka smirked at Itachi's careful ploy, though many tensed at that. "What do you mean by that?" Shibi Abereme asked the million Ryo question, earning the attention of the Uchiha. "As we have previously mentioned, we are acting in accordance with the charter put forward by the majority of nations that granted our autonomy and neutrality in all things."

This earned nods from numerous clan heads, so he continued, "Within that charter, we are forbidden from being drafted into conflicts by said nations. However, there are two clauses that allow us to mobilize our full might."

Hiashi speaks up next, "Which are?" He was curious about such legislation that had been agreed upon by so many influential nations. Shizuka speaks up, "Rogue's retreat can and will only mobilize under two conditions. First, to prevent a flare-up of war."

Many eyes widened at that. Their actions in preparing to fight against Iwa and Kumo had led to the attention of the Rogue Nation being on them. The Nadishiko continued nonetheless: "Yes, this falls under that clause, in case you are wondering."

Minato gulped at that, but asked hesitantly, "The other?" With Itachi answering this one, blank-faced as always, "the other being to rescue survivors from disaster zones, both natural and man-made. Our unlawful incarnation could be construed by some to fall under that one. Especially seeing how the current Leaf Administration has been acting." His look over to the Uzumaki Seat did not go unnoticed by more than a few, all wondering why Lady Kushina stiffened each time they glanced her way.

Shizuka glanced over to the redhead, speaking up, "Will you risk it? Going up against the Uzumaki-Senju and their forces?"

Kakashi speaks up skeptically, "You speak as if the Uzumaki clan is not a Konoha clan, same with the Senju, despite both being founding clans."

Shizuka, with a smiling face, glanced at the man but said nothing before turning forward. "Right now, I can assume that our boss is currently dousing the flames of war in Iwa, another team has or is doing the same in Kumo, and with us here..."

Itachi spoke up immediately after her, "We were ordered to come here. Should you go through with this?" His smirk was enough to cause the whole room to hold its breath. Shikamaru had to admit that this was a perfect checkmate. Minato was against the wall; he was ready to order the detainment of the envoy and a clan head who had asked for diplomatic asylum from said envoy. They no doubt had records of such, thus, in the international court, the Hidden Leaf and, by extension, the Land of Fire, would be torn apart for this blatant disregard of international standards and practices regarding foreign dignitaries. The Fire Daimyo would not be pleased with that.

Itachi saw the hesitation within the Fire Shadow and so decided to prepare the final nail for the coffin. He posed the question, "I ask again," all eyes locking on to the man currently staring their hokage down, despite being surrounded by two Anbu squads, and was winning. "Are you sure that is wise?"

Land of Earth

Keslar Inn

Naruto awoke with the nude form of Guren resting atop him, feeling infinitely better than he had in the last two days since he extracted seventy percent of his brother's biju chakra and the consciousness of yin Kurama. The plan was originally intended for just below sixty, but he decided to push himself, which was the reason for his wipeout. He got an earful from Guren, Kurotsuchi, and Kurama in equal measure for that stunt.

Kurama was easy enough to pacify. After all, he was whole again, though the recovery of the other thirty percent would take a bit of time. He had it back, so he was fine with that. Guren was slightly harder to quell. Her worry about his health was more than he felt he deserved, but ultimately, a full-blown date with a candle-lit dinner and a dance in town seemed to have mended that front, evident by their current position.

He sighs though as his mind locks on to the last person of the troublesome trio, Kurotsuchi. Her stubbornness is legendary, even among the stubborn men and women of the stone that will no doubt back her bid for anything she required. He still has that IOU though, so if it gets that troublesome.

To relax the fraying nerves. He began to run his hands through the bluenette's now long hair. Ever since they got intimate, Guren had grown out her hair that was shoulder length at first, it was now halfway down her back now, lush, soft, and a pleasure to run his fingers through. He suspected his sunflower back home suggested it as he does the same with her long blond locks whenever he's agitated, nervous, or stressed.

A heavy breath from his current companion alerted him to her awakening, paired with that smile of contentment. "Morning," he whispered, and she hummed, "Morning. That is relaxing. Perfect to wake up to."

He smirked at that, "So I've heard. No doubt she told you to grow it out, right?" Seeing no reason to lie, Guren just hummed in acknowledgment, "She did." They continued to lay there for several minutes in silence. The silence was broken by the door creaking open slightly. The troublesome Iwa Kage poked her head in, unsure if she'd get an eyeful of something she didn't know how she would handle seeing. "You awake?"

"I am," Naruto confirms, and she parts the door a bit more, getting a good look at the content form of Naruto beneath the sheets with Guren still sleeping atop him. "Oh," she squeaks, but he smirks and waves her off. "What's the matter?"

"Well, umm, our messenger has returned, and, umm, none of our scouts have reported anything yet," the Kage reports, and he hums, considering the situation. The fact that the Leaf haven't already deployed a strike team lends credence to the idea of a larger force, perhaps as a show of Leaf's might. However, if that were the case, their campsite should have been found or sensed by now. Perhaps Itachi had been more proactive in his role than anticipated.

After a few moments to consider it, Naruto nods, looking to his ally. "I suspect my subordinates are playing to their own tune back in the Leaf. Until we hear back from them, hold position. As long as those seals are around, the naive, blond, and arrogant one isn't going anywhere."

Both ladies snorted at that, alerting Kurotsuchi that Guren was awake too and just enjoying that heavenly chest. "Fine, I will go check on him and see if he has any information we could use."

Naruto snorted at that. "Doubt it. He'll probably either spit in your face or try to seduce you, based on the file RIN has on him." The Kage-level kunoichi snorted. "Fat chance of that happening."

"Why not, Mudpie?" Guren offered without moving or even opening her eyes. "If you squint, and gag him, you might be able to picture Naru in his place, no? They're twins after all."

"Do not ever joke about that!" Kurotsuchi growled, her eyes turning a fiery violet, and the air noticeably warmed as her lava-based chakra reacted to her emotions. "Just because you have Naru now, does not mean I will settle for some second-rate knock-off." Naruto cut in before their fight broke out in the inn he recently acquired at the heavily reduced rate of free from its previous owner, "Ladies." His voice was arctic, and they both froze at the tone, "Better."

Naruto sighs before looking back at the standing woman, "I'll be up momentarily. We can speak properly then, okay?" Kurotsuchi nods at that, exiting the room shortly thereafter. Naruto's gaze fell on the woman atop him, still enjoying the gentle administration of his hands running through her long hair. "As for you," he whispered, and he felt her tense, out of concern for his next words. It was unwarranted as she felt him harden within her, and she gained a sultry expression, finally opening her eyes toward him, seeing his lustful eyes. "Am I being punished?"

He nods, already having activated the privacy barrier he had placed in the room last night. "You, Lilly, have been rather disobedient as of late," he says in a husky voice, with a noticeable lust that really turns her on. "It seems I must remind you who it is you chose, neh?" Her response is killed in her throat as his thrust hits her spot, forcing a moan from her lips, her body already moving in response.

Warning, M-rated after this point, this is an M-rated fanfic after all.

The moaning of Guren was cut off by Naruto's application of lips to hers, arms pinning her down to his chest, his hips thrusting up into hers minutely just enough to allow constant stimulation of her deepest erogenous zone, her vagina clenching around his rod in response, further enhancing the pleasure for both.

Flipping over with ease of practice, Naruto freed his hands from their duty to keep her pinned, his tongue entered her throat as he thrust deeper, hitting her rear wall. Her muffled cry of pleasure was music to his ears. The freed hands split up for their newest tasks, one pinning her hands above her head, the other massaging her pale skin beneath the body, earning more shudders. As the lady of the hour began twitching repeatedly, she eventually locked up in pleasure.

Pulling back to allow her to breathe, Naruto wore the most lustful expression she had seen in recent times. Though her vision was blurry and her eyes misty, the orgasmic high was still running rampant through her mind. Her body wasn't doing much better, with her nipples now being subjected to a two-pronged attack. She had no defense against that tongue and those fingers, which continued to dance across the best areas.

She tries to free her hands, wanting to bring his face back up to hers, but his hold was unbreakable, firm, yet gentle enough that her lust-clouded mind did not feel threatened but rather excited. It was her kink, sure, but she wanted to embrace him right now, but not even her legs were. Suddenly her hands were freed, and she immediately reached for him, but she was too slow as she found herself face down in the pillow, "Naru..." she weakly moaned.

Suddenly, she was full again, earning a gasp and jerk from her body. Damn, again. All he did was enter, but she had no time to ponder that as his breath was on her neck, reaching her ear, which picked up, "I told you, didn't I my lily?" The climax jerking on her body slowly fell off, though her pelvic region seemed to be heating up. Her heart pounded in her ears as she felt completely at her man's mercy, which only drove her mind further into the lustful haze. Though still heard his continuing, "This is your punishment."

Climaxing for the third time, she suspects, but didn't care to know. From his breath passing her ear, she nods slightly to his words. Her body understands his intent better than her swimming mind, and thus the words escape her mouth without conscious awareness: "Yes, Naruto-sama..." At some point, her awareness takes note of the grin she feels somehow, but it is ignored as the overwhelming sensations of pleasure overload the last of her upper brain functions. As he resumes his administration of pressure against her deepest desires, pinned beneath his strong arms that hold hers behind her back, she thinks, "God, she loves this man" as the warmth spreads hard and deep, filling her fully and satisfying her body's wishes in all things.

After taking a shower and getting dressed, Naruto left the room where Guren was sleeping, and headed down the hall where a single Golem operative stood, saluting him as he approached. "Is she in there?"

The masked operative nods, and he moves in and enters the room holding his kid brother and what he found was a seriously pissed off Kurotsuchi, chakra flaring dangerously, and a smug looking Menma who no doubt did something rather foolish to try bait a reaction. A reaction that was about to be launched. With the swiftness of the wind, his arms wrapped around her waist and his breath in her ear, "Don't," paired with his chakra now invading the Kage of the Stone, quelled the raging volcano that was Kurotsuchi within the breath of a bird.

Sighing hard, Naruto's dark slit blue eyes land on his idiot brother who was gawking at him at the sight of the content looking stone kunoichi, "You should learn not to antagonise woman of the fiery persuasion better."

Snapping out of his shock at the pacification of the sworn enemy of the Namikaze clan, Menma growls at his older twin, "You are a traitor! How dare you…?" His voice caught in his throat when Kurotsuchi's high-kage-level killing intent slammed into him, though Naruto was unfazed by this outburst, being surrounded by Kage-level shinobi all the time. "Watch your tongue, Namikaze," she spat the name with pure lava that sizzled on the floor between Menma's legs, far too close for comfort. "Naru is ten—no—a thousand times the man…"

"Kuro," Naruto whispered in her ear, and she fell silent, her intent vanishing again as he gently tightened his hold briefly. She leaned into his warmth as he returned his gaze to his brother. "Foolish little brother," he said, ignoring the snort within his mind with practiced ease. "I have betrayed no one. I am here simply to stop the war between the Leaf, Kumo, and Iwa, so as to save the children of the world from growing up without their parents." His slit eyes narrowed dangerously, catching the gulp from his bound blood. "So, I suggest you shut up and use that head of yours to realize your place here."

Menma nodded slowly, his jaw clenched, but he maintained his glare at his overpowered kin. "Good," Naruto responded, sighing as he stepped back from the embrace, but Kurotsuchi clamped her arms atop his while glancing back at him pleadingly. Sighing, he halted his retreat before looking at his fellow blond. "As you know, you have invaded Iwa territory without permission or due course, thus are subject to the crimes of either subterfuge or invasion. Both are capital offenses internationally."

Menma snorts, "Yeah, no. Once Paps or Pervy Sage hears of this," he pauses, seeing Kurotsuchi's smug grin, "We know about the now former innkeeper's little secret," causing the lone leaf shinobi to pale. "You weren't very discreet." Naruto informs with a shrug. "Though, I knew of him before we arrived."

Gulping, a terrible idea came to the second flash of the leaf's mind at that admission. "This was a trap?" Naruto nodded. "Not originally, though it did kind of work out that way."

"Then, my Hirashin? You countered it? How?" Menma presses, earning confusion from Naruto, who plays the innocent card, trying to keep that secret as much as possible. "Countered the Hirashin? Your drink was spiked with chakra flow suppression drugs. All I did was use the chakra locking seals you have."

"Bullshit," Menma barked with a growl. "I can't sense any of my beacons!" Kurotsuchi grinned at that. "Oh, those? My Golem took care of them. Your father left a fair number of his kunai around, and we know roughly where to look for those marks and how to disable placed ones. Naturally, the kunai left are easy to destroy." She didn't know how Naruto blocked the Hirashin, but based on his words, he was very clearly trying to hide the fact that he could. She would aid him the best she could with a few white lies.

Naruto was grateful for the assist, Kurotsuchi's seamless uptake proved her kage status being able to lie so effortlessly and believably, throwing his stupid younger doppelgänger off his tail at the possible reason his exit strategy had failed him. "That... that can't be..." Menma mumbled, earning a snort from the Stone's leader. "It's been over twenty years since he first used it against us, leaving evidence of the jutsu formula across the battlefield. What makes you think we'd just ignore such a threat?"

Naruto sighed at the naïveté on display here by this Namikaze. In all arms races, nations work to outdo one another, thus the term "arms race." It's a race to innovate and create something the other can't counter. A vicious cycle that has led to the creation of weapons like himself, the caging of the tailed beasts, and the cycle of hatred that he and his fellows had sacrificed so much to break. Perhaps this notion of supremacy needed to be broken, hard and in totality, but how could such a notion be achieved?

An idea came to him that even caused his own inner demon to raise an eyebrow, chuckling darkly at the concept. "This isn't over," Menma spoke lowly, eyes narrowed. "The leaf will..." Naruto cut in over the delusional, "has a week to respond to the missive before we send you to the pit."

This stunned the other two in the room briefly, though their expressions morphed into heaven and hell depending on where you stood. "What?" Their unified response, but Naruto nods firmly. "You seem to think yourself higher than the common people. So, let's see how you handle yourself beneath them. I will seal away your chakra, and Kurotsuchi here will send you to the pit to serve your sentence for intruding on foreign territory without authorization."

Menma was wide-eyed and filled with dread. He had heard of the pit that was said to be impossible to break out of, a maximum-security prison for Iwa's hardest prisoners, at least those who couldn't be killed for one reason or another.

Kurotsuchi was genuinely surprised by Naruto's words. To condemn his estranged brother to their hardest prison for a reason only he knew. She knew he held no love for the Namikaze clan as a whole, the reason rather obvious with the death of his wife and child at the hands of Hidden Leaf Anbu, ordered by the yellow flash himself, she could never associate him as Naruto's father after hearing that.

Part of the reason why they and her grandfather were able to bond in the first place. Heck, after they hashed out the econmic recovery plan and then later the aid after the earthquakes, he damn right wanted her to marry the guy he was so happy. Though she did grin at the prospect of holding the second flash in their prisons, it would be a big moral boost to her own forces and shut down the naysayers back among her council. If she's lucky, they may even accept the Red tipped blond as her partner as he was instrumental in this victory.

Turning back to the horrified Namikaze, she grinned darkly, "Let's hope daddy-dearest responds soon, or else you will be shipped off, never to see the sun again." This caused the expected reaction from the Namikaze, a hard gulp, and cold sweat visible on his brow. He really hoped that either the that oerverted hermit or his old man gets here soon.

Hidden Leaf

Leaf Council Hall

The council had been silent since Itachi's question about whether the Hokage would incarcerate his diplomatic envoy, and an officially declared and accepted political asylum seeker. The tension was so thick that some of the civilians were on the verge of passing out, and even the Anbu surrounding them were unsure if this was the best course of action. After all, Itachi, a very dangerous shinobi, likely had more than a few aces up his sleeve if they were forced to act against him. As for the woman, being a member of the upper echelons of the Rogue's retreat, she must at least be A-rank, and as his escort, she was probably an S-ranker.

Minato hadn't spoken, running his mind over every possible outcome, and most did not have any good outcomes, he admitted to himself. Then again, if he strikes here and now, the village will be certain to fight alone, so perhaps, he was a bit hasty in his earlier decision, as it was clear that he had been checkmated. His pondering was cut off when Shikamaru spoke up, "As troublesome as this is, I, as Nara clan head, cannot allow this to transpire, Lord Hokage." All eyes snapped to the Nara head, who had the most hardened expression any had ever seen.

Many gasped at the clear sign of treason being displayed, yet the young man continued, "Breaking international laws so brazenly will only doom us. As powerful as we are, we cannot take on the world."

Shibi stood next, saying, "It is most illogical to disregard the international law that has kept us safe. The hive of the Abereme can see this as nothing but a danger to the collective." Ino and Choji both stood, clearly standing with the Nara, as expected. "What you say is treason!" spoke up the Shimura clan head, Koiji Shimura, growling at them. "We are the Hidden Leaf! Detain these traitors!"

Kiba snapped up, glaring at the Shimura, "Oi! Those are my friends! They are no traitors!" This is when the Kohaku clan head, normally a silent spectre as a clan that lives on the fringes of the Land of Fire, spoke up, "If our neighbours here of this..."

Hiashi stood, glaring at the Ino-Shika-Cho group. "You are clearly too young to understand the importance of unity in trying times," he said, looking to his friend and Kage. "They are clearly biased and should be ignored in this case, as long as this is kept under the rug."

"I am sure we can all calm down," Kushina tried to bring it all under control. Her daughter was scared despite trying to keep her cool. This was way above her pay grade, but her father needed help, and she would try to support him in this. "Traitors should be locked away," declared Koiji, earning a cheer from more than a few. "Traitors, huh?" Shikamaru's calm voice seemed to cut through the hysterics of the room, summoning silence from all. "We," gesturing to all those who stood with him, "have served with loyalty and steadfast devotion to the king for generations. I, as my father before me, have taken up the role of Jonin Commander upon his stepping down." Minato and Asuma did not like where this was going, not one bit.

Shikamaru looked to his allies, all smiling back at him sadly. Much to his own surprise, Shibi nodded at him, and he nodded back, both understanding one another. He then looked to the Hokage, "I will not allow my clan to be dragged into your troublesome war." Eyes that would make lead look like play-doh, "Go through with this, and the Nara will withdraw from Konoha."

Gasps of disbelief from the room at large. "As will the Abereme," Shibi states immediately afterwards. "The hive must be protected."

"We will follow our family allies," Choji spoke, and Ino nodded. "We're the Nara lead, the Yamanaka clan follows." She flipped her hair back, before staring at the Hokage, whose eyes were cold as ice. This was a clear threat. No, a promise. The loss of all four clans would be devastating. They'd never recover.

Minato's racing mind was halted upon the clearing of a throat, eyes locking onto the amused onyx of the Uchiha. "So, Lord Hokage, your answer? You did say you had an emergency needing attention, and I have yet to report to my own superior. He does not like it when we are late with our updates."

The tension had never been greater than that statement had illicit, though Yakumo was enjoying this far too much in her own opinion. How had things turned out this way? She idly muses.

Finally, the Fourth Hokage spoke, "I want some stipulations." This earned a raised brow from Itachi and Shizuka, with the former responding, "You have no leg to stand on with your current display." Minato knew that but he had to power on, "This is non-negotiable." Shizuka giggled, causing many men to look at her. She smiled sweetly, "Oh, and here I thought you were just another easy mark."

Minato ignored that jab, staring at the Uchiha who offered nothing in response. "I want you to promise that the Kurama clan is never used against the Land of Fire, or the Hidden Leaf." Glancing at the clan head firmly, though she too didn't react to the cold, hard gaze, "Secondly, I want to reopen negotiations with the Refuge, and an embassy opened for future talks."

Shizuka giggled again, lightly and softly, a dainty smile on her lips, though this time Itachi spoke up to end this now, the nail was firmly placed, "It seems Naruto was right," as a sigh slips from his lips, standing up, much to everyone's confusion, "You do not listen,"

"What?" Minato said quietly, none missed the flaring of his chakra. "I must admit, I was hoping to keep this civil, but it seems that Naruto knew better. After he explained my task here, he warned me that you wouldn't listen to reason. Out of respect for your position, I figured I should try." Looking to his partner in crime, then to the asylum seeker, "Lady Kurama, please prepare your clan for departure. This discussion is over,"

"It isn't." Minato flared his chakra and killing intent, but it paled in comparison with Naruto's nor the Kyuubi's when awoken from his naps, so neither of the Rogue's even flinched. "You have threatened our home, Minato Namikaze," Itachi's eyes flowed red, his clans full bloodline visible within the hallowed walls of the leaf for the first time in decades, eyes narrowed to slits. "The place our children reside,"

Kushina paled at that, as did Minato, though the Uchiha continued blankly, "Thus, we will no longer ask and simply move to eliminate such a threat to our king, just as you would."

Kushina jumped up, hoping not to see the end of her second home as she had witnessed with the first, "Surely this is a misunderstanding. We did not,"

"Kushina Namikaze," Shizuka spoke up now, eyes narrowed on the woman who had stiffened under the emerald gaze, "The fact that you are sitting there lends credence to the idea that you cannot be trusted," her glare had grown cold as the Yuki clan jutsu where known to be. "So hold your tongue."

Seeing this all go to hell, Kakashi stood and tried to appease everyone, "Mah, mah, we are all allies here, surely, we can return to civility,"

Itachi and Shizuka looked at the silver-haired Hatake, "Kakashi-sempai, the fact that your sensei abandoned his son means nothing to you? All for a purpose that was fulfilled by the same student you had let down?"

That paused the former sensei of Team Seven, "Not to mention, him saving the world twice over," Shizuka still glaring at Kushina who was really hoping they didn't reveal the secret, and seeing this Shizuka looked to Itachi, "Should we?"

Itachi looked to the Namikaze matriarch and spoke up loud enough to be heard, "Should we tell them that Kushina Namikaze was expelled from the Uzumaki clan twenty-five years ago? Perhaps." This drew incredulous and bewildered looks from all over, and Kushina froze, even as Minato looked nervously around at the gathering.

It lasted a good thirty seconds before Shikamaru pushed out from the table and headed to the door with his own allies, all three dropping their hitai-ate as they left. None stopped them. All eyes were on the Hokage, who had his head hanging low. Kushina was crying silently too, as Itachi and Shizuka both looked to the equally disgusted Yakumo. "We are done here."

Land of Lightning

Gates of Kumo

Ay and Sasuke arrived at the gates to receive a hero's welcome, cheers and whoops heard as they passed through. The bulk of a man grinned at being back here. He loved the retreat; it was his home without a doubt but the high altitude of Kumogakure just charged him like no other.

As the crowd parted, Darui stepped through it to meet his former leader and good friend, "Dang, you haven't changed at all."

Ay grinned, pounded his chest, and flexed his arms, saying, "Nah, though I have been getting one hell of a workout with my sparring partner," which earned chuckles from everyone. Darui and Ay bumped fists as the new Raikage looked to the escort, "Sasuke Uchiha, huh? How's that troublesome wife of yours?"

The Uchiha chuckled lowly at that, "Keeping me on my toes, kids too. You should really visit some time. I can show you how to really use lightning," earning more than a few 'oohs' and cheers from the crowd as Darui smirked, "That sounds like a challenge."

Ay chuckled too, "He is hot on my tail in the speed department, Darui, so do not take him lightly," earning nods of respect from many, and Sasuke wouldn't say this aloud, but he did like the respect his power got here in Kumo. They knew he worked hard for it and never allowed it to stagnate, pushing him beyond the limits of any Uchiha before him. Kumo was the first to label him an S-rank, the moniker Pale Lightning, which he wears with pride.

With the banter aside, Ay gets serious. "Darui, you know why we've come here, right?"

The man sighs, scratching the back of his head with a grumble, "Yeah, well, figured you would have come sooner or later. We should talk in the office."

Raikage Tower

The Bolt operatives were dismissed as the three men took seats. The silencing barrier, which Naruto had installed as a final gift of thanks for their help, activated. They got straight to business. "You're prepping for war? Why?" Ay asked flatly. Darui looked seriously at him. "Have you seen the reports from the leaf?"

Ay and Sasuke nod, so Darui continued, "With at least two Hirashin users, one of whom holds a tailed beast, and their aggressive rebuilding of old arms factories, and they're attempting to persuade the minor nations into alliances, it is clear to the council that they are preparing for war." He leans back into his seat, holding Aya's gaze without flinching, "I even heard that their Hokage had attempted to call upon your group."

Ay nods, Sasuke chuckled at the memory of it, gaining the new Raikage's attention. The young man waved him off, though his grin was telling. "Wait till Karuii tells you about it," he chuckled again. "Karuii?" Sasuke nodded. "She's his secretary and overheard the whole thing." Ay caught the goofy grin. "It was hilarious. Wish I could have been there in person."

Darui smirked, "Turned down, huh?" earning a snort from Sasuke. He then paused and realized he had been spending too much time with the Senju. The look of horror on his face was hilarious to Ay and Darui, who also knew how the Senju often did that when something was obvious or stupid. "I caught Senju."

"You did," Ay joked, and Darui nodded in agreement. "I bet that woman is laughing right now. Damn Senju." Sasuke growled, and he was not wrong, as Tsunade, back at the retreat, suddenly burst into a giggle fit while playing with her blond grandbabies. Sasuke was irked for some reason and could picture that stupid grin and glinting eyes. "Grr, I need to blow something up with excessive amounts of fire."

"We'll spar later. I think Omoi is around, and no doubt he would want a rematch," Darui informs. The Uchiha smirks. Omoi was a good opponent. He may be classed as an A-rank, but that's only because they haven't had any big names to go up against. If the Retreat had a bingo book, he'd be an S-ranker without a shadow of a doubt.

Clearing his throat, Ay returned to business. "We have it on good authority that the Leaf will either be defanged or at least cowed by a Raven and a little black bird. Iwa is being visited by a maelstrom, so they'll quieten down too. You should cool it too," he said, earning a raised brow from Darui. "You guys aren't joking around, dispatching the big guns right from the get-go."

Ay grinned at that, Sasuke too, "Naruto's on orders to wrap this up quickly or face a very cool reception." Darui smirked at that, "Samui, huh? How she doing?"

"Pregnant, again," Ay chuckled, earning a wide-eyed look from the man behind the desk. "They work fast," Sasuke grinned at that. Ay responded, "You have no idea. At this rate, the Senju clan will be back at full strength in my lifetime." Bellowing out in laughter, though Darui actually thought on that seriously, smirking the whole way, "Perhaps I should visit after all, get the old crew together again."

Sasuke thought before nodding, "It could be turned into a festival," his grin became Uzumaki in nature, Ay noted before matching it, "Oh, the paperwork for that," both chuckled, and Darui was now wondering how much the Uzumaki was influencing them, sweat-dripping at the sight of them both scheming, "So, no war then? We can stand down, and not worry about the Land of Fire expanding?"

Both his guests shook their heads. "If they even try," Sasuke's Sharingan spins up, "We will deploy in force." Ay nods along, with a firm face, "If war kicks off, as long as you do not participate, you will be fine."

Darui nods at that, "I trust you, boss. If those are your promises, I see no reason to doubt them. I'll call off our forces." Sasuke ponders something for a bit, "Well, perhaps, to blow off some steam and really get our blood pumping," he looks from Raikage to Raikage, a plan forming, "We put on a tournament on the Refuge? We have been using the Bowl for our spars, so it could be used as the arena, no?"

Ay was intrigued by the prospect of fighting fresh talent, and the boom to their economy wouldn't be a bad trade off. Even better, get rid of the building tension from the wars too. Though, it would mean more than a few outsiders on the island, Naruto would hate that more than anyone else, he sighs but Darui speaks up, "The Bowl?"

Sasuke nods. "It's the remains of an undersea volcano that created the island. It's capped off and perfectly safe. We had it checked by Son Goku, and Iwa sends special teams once every four months or so to check it for us." Darui nods at that. "Seems like a good idea."

The sigh from the largest man in the room drew the attention of everyone present. "We'll have to convince the brat to allow outsiders," Sasuke flinched at that, forgetting about his own aversion to allow that. Honestly, he had overlooked that briefly in his excitement at fighting new, potentially powerful opponents. Outsiders on the Retreat were putting their children in danger, and now he was nervous. But as Ay said, all this tension had everyone on edge. Ay looked at Sasuke, who looked back, and the two nodded. "We'll have to ask her," they said in unison, earning a double raised eyebrow from the sitting Kage, who asked, "Her?"

Both the visitors nod at that. "We all know that very, very few things can move Naruto's opinion on things, right?" Sasuke begins. Darui nods, having met the man on and off the battlefield many times; his stubbornness does credit to his clan. Ay takes up the ball next, "We have discovered a way to get him to budge on certain subjects, though the uses are limited, and there is a cooldown period."

"This sounds useful," Darui sits forward, hands grasping one another as he rests on his desk. His opponents nod in agreement. "It has been, however, we can't abuse this, or things may get ugly," Ay states. Sasuke nods before adding, "We call it the three-way-blond-lock."

The only response from the Fifth Raikage was a raised eyebrow, as he looked to his predecessor, who nodded seriously. "With our business concluded, we will make a pit stop in Wind Country and activate the three-way lock before returning to the Retreat. Be sure to prepare your best fighters. We'll contact you with the information," Ay said, serious throughout. Darui, who had initially dismissed this as nonsense, slowly began to realize that this was an actual thing. He sweat-dropped at that realization.

Clearing his throat, Darui nods once. "No worries, Kumo will be there and show the world the might of the Cloud." Ay grins, while Sasuke nods in secondary agreement, folding his arms as he looks to the ceiling. His wife's homeland has become his third home after all. Things had been shaky at first, but they've gotten better now, evidently. He wonders how Naruto is doing with those Rock-Heads he always grumbles about. No doubt, he's figured out a way of avoiding their council, who's been the bane of his existence. His eyebrow twitches, recalling something, suddenly speaking up, "Remind me, who's the Tsuchikage right now?"

Darui, confused by the sudden interruption, answered the seemingly random question easily enough, "Kurotsuchi, granddaughter of the Fence sitter, why?" The Uchiha face-palms at that, as now even Ay was confused. "No wonder he chose Iwa. Damn smart-ass Senju's, and their stupid grins," picturing Naruto's stupid grin at that moment, earning a chuckle from the other two. "Something up, kiddo?" Ay asks, gaining the Uchiha's attention. "Just that the knucklehead is as lazy as a Nara, as smart as one too, if my gut feeling is anything to go by."

Clearing his thoughts, the active Raikage spoke up, "Let's go get rid of that 'Senju' you caught, and I can give you pointers on how best to use Lightning. Not that it'll help you with the upcoming tournament," Sasuke smirked at the taunt, "I guess I will have to remind you just how far the Uchiha can reach." Ay grinned at that; these two were roaring to go, and his own blood was pumping from being back. "Don't even think about leaving me out of this!"

A/N: Itachi came, observed, then destroyed. He went beyond his mission mandate, but pulled off a complete defang operation and pulled the rug out from Minato, steadily eroding his support base. Shikamaru assisted, allowing the Nadishiko into the guard before the Uchiha finished with a dagger to the credibility, shattering accountability.

Naruto lured his brother in and condemned him potentially, though with the Leaf about to fall apart, Menma doesn't look good. However, hope isn't completely lost. He also realised that the Namikaze hadn't really innovated since the third shinobi war as, despite being a lie to his brother, the Namikaze have become almost dependent on the Hirashin which has allowed his secret to remain potent.

Sasuke and Ay talked Kumo out of rearming, offered a tournament to help blow off steam, though they had to activate their secret weapon to get the go-ahead. However, it isn't guaranteed, but it's still better than nothing.

2nd A/N: So, i know this was meant to be a month off but the ideas just came to me as I was working on Kitsune-k, thus its next chapter has been delayed. That being said, the leaf council scene i had written out like six times or so. The first three only had the Kurama leaving but felt unnatural so tried it with the ino-shik-cho and it flowed like water. Admittedly, the Abereme joining was spur of the moment, though i think Kiba will confront them before they leave along with the others lf the rookie twelve in an attempt to prevent this from occurring.

I'm suffering Writers Block on for ch5 though with only the inclusion of the Hidden Sand and Hidden Mist, a tornamant, Jairyia attempting to free Menma, and the Leaf exodus the only plot points thus far. We'll see as I am going back to Kitsune-K and Sin's Forgiveness. Though I know more than a few are waiting on Phantom Blade ch4 so might finish that off too. Or try too at least.

Speaking of Sin's Forgiveness, I do plan on correcting the earlier chapters, cleaning them up to the same level of the current ones and trim out errors amd the like. Gotten more than a few comments regarding inconsistencies and its driving me nuts. Though, I will let you in on a secret coming up in the next Two Chapters or so. Kitsune reminds the world why you do not cross him, gaining an SS-Rank flee on sight without using the Hirashin. I won't say who they face just that it gets messy. Really messy.

o7